Calls CCSS self-inflicted wound on local schools

May 17, 2013

"Leave public education up to the state and local school boards and leave the Feds out of it!"

Public education is a state responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the federal government. States should not turn over their rights or responsibilities to the direction and influence of non-government organizations or the federal government. There should be no federal veil over education whatsoever.

Federally pushed agendas like Common Core States Standards must not be allowed to grow roots within our districts. This is a major form of federal overreach into our schools and it works to take parents fully out of the equation of the education of our children.

CCSS is a self-inflicted wound and represents basically the same purpose as a double tax as local school districts and states must provide the funds to adopt and implement them. The federal government does not provide the funds since states voluntarily make the decision as to whether they adopt or not. States receiving Race to the Top funds may use some of those funds to implement the CCSS, but those funds might also be held back from states if they refuse.

Many local school districts and state governments are dealing with severe budget issues. How can they justify making an ongoing costly commitment? Local school districts will be responsible for the technology equipment, related personnel and network capacity upgrade costs required for the CCSS assessments.

It is our taxpayer dollars that go toward implementing costs whether local, state or federal money is used. Taxpayers need to guard their wallets and bank accounts. The local school districts and states may find it necessary to raise taxes and that could be a tough question to ask taxpayers in any district.

It isn't just concerned parents that are outraged by the idea of Common Core, but a large amount of teachers and administrators across the nation have also raised red flags against it. A more conservative approach (independent and self-sufficient within our community) initially helps us take steps toward severing the line of federal dependency until the state can come around to changing the laws that control school funding. If our districts are strong, then we have better odds of standing apart from federal influence and win against Common Core.

Contact your local school board member, state representative and state senator and make your voices heard. For more information, go to nopacommoncore.com.